John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. NKJV

In the beginning, the sun was the only source of light for man after his expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The Bible does not tell us how man navigated his way around during the hours after the sun went down, but perhaps before he discovered fire, he probably was only able to use the moonlight and the stars in the night. Although the stars and the moon that God created illumined the darkness for man after the fall with some degree, yet it still was very difficult to navigate without bright light close by as any of us can testify that have been camping or hunting in the woods at night. When man discovered fire, it was the first way man found to illuminate the darkness sufficiently after the setting of the sun.

Genesis 1:16-18 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. NKJV

The need for light in the natural world from the very beginning to now was and remains great. The need for spiritual light is far greater because it will bring truth or error to the recipient. Jesus Christ is the light of the world that lights every man that comes into the world with the ability to know right from wrong by the conscience He gives because all things (including every human being) were made by Him. Our Lord is the source of light that enabled the first man to discover fire and so He does for man in every generation. By the light He has given man is the reason for air travel, satellites, medical breakthroughs, etc.

However, true spiritual light He only gives to those drawn to Him by God the Father when by God the Holy Spirit and the Word of God they are made alive (spiritually) by Christ and brought out of the darkness of sin. Case in point, there was a man walking in the darkness of sin spiritually dead he owned and operated several strip clubs in the city where he lived but he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit took the Word of God and this man was born again.

Now the man is saved but still owns these strip clubs. What did he do with them? He closed every one of them and trusted the Lord Jesus who forgave him, healed him from sin, and brought him out of the darkness of sin to provide for him. I heard about this testimony in a song entitled Power by Flame in his 2010 album Captured. Light has come into the world in the person of Jesus Christ shining in the darkness and the darkness did not overtake or overcome the light of Christ. When a heart is changed by the grace of Jesus Christ, that person will not abide, remain, or stay in darkness any longer because of our Lord alone and He receives all the Glory.

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV

“God's elect themselves, whilst in a state of unregeneracy and unbelief, are in darkness; when Christ shines in upon them, and infuses the light of faith into them, they are no longer in darkness; the darkness is past, at least in a great measure, and the true light shines; in which they see light, see glory and grace of Christ, and the invisible realities of another world: nor do they continue in the darkness of sin, ignorance, and unbelief; but walk in the light of truth, faith, and holiness, until the perfect day comes, when all the shadows of remaining darkness will flee away.” Dr. John Gill

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.” D. L. Moody

“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't.” Blaise Pascal

“The issue is now clear. It is between light and darkness and everyone must choose his side.” G. K. Chesterton

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reader, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Clifford Tate or search for articles on the same topic or others.